It's been an amazing journey, i'v just finish building my first soprano ukulele from scratch, it took me about 30 hours over a period of 2 months (waited almost a month for a rosewood fingerboard..), i this time i also build 4 cigar box ukulele but this one is the real deal!

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http://youtu.be/UQt-APyR9aQ

this ukulele is made off of one piece of walnut wood and has a rosewood fretboard and bridge, and of course aquila strings.
i'll post some more pictures of the process later on...

orangeena

10-18-2013, 03:57 AM

Very nice, and sounds sweet.
You can have some fun now designing a label and gluing it inside the soundhole. With serial number 00000000001 of course

vetcvm

10-18-2013, 09:42 AM

indeed i tought about the serial number 1 :)
here are some photos of the begining:

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Gyozu

10-18-2013, 10:33 AM

What are the vertical ribs for? Have not seen them before.

vetcvm

10-19-2013, 04:28 AM

Just some extra reinforcment for the sides, i think it's more common to see those on acoustic guitars though.

some more pics:

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jcalkin

10-19-2013, 06:49 AM

Very nice, and sounds sweet.
You can have some fun now designing a label and gluing it inside the soundhole. With serial number 00000000001 of course

Way back in the '70s Augie LoPrinzi suggested starting serial numbers at 10. That way if they become collectible you can build the first nine and cash in. I think he was only half joshing.

gerardg

10-19-2013, 07:42 PM

So cool.
Well done - well played.

Go see here:

http://www.ukulele.fr/forum/index.php?topic=13935.msg188245#msg188245

Gerard - France

vetcvm

10-20-2013, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the nice post Gerard!

last pics:

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by the way, the choice of american walnut wood was done in order to get a warm sound, i'v had a couple Mahogany ukes, both of them warm sounded, but i'v play on some others (Koa, maple, cedar...) and i must say this uke has the warmest sound of all, especially considering it's a Soprano! so i'm very happy with the result soundwise and i'm starting to build a Pineaple from the same piece of wood, hope it will turn out good s well!

David Newton

10-21-2013, 03:15 AM

Congrats! Looks easy doesn't it? Not so easy really...

gerardg

10-21-2013, 09:10 AM

Interesting comments about Walnut.
I have two beautiful claro walnut sets waiting for soprano building to come.
Perhaps one will be pineapple design.
Realy love pineapple body shape.
I have made several pineapple soprano ukes, curly koa,
some with longneck, with different scales.
See here a pineapple soprano scale:
http://www.ukulele.fr/forum/index.php?topic=13935.780

gerardg

10-21-2013, 07:38 PM

Hi David.
So, just to say you that I love the way you make ukuleles.
And the way you speak about your ukes, wood and so.
Just that.
Gerard.
France.

Congrats! Looks easy doesn't it? Not so easy really...

vetcvm

10-22-2013, 08:22 AM

Very nice pineaple Gerard!

ijust started working on the neck and a pineaple mold today

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vetcvm

10-23-2013, 07:37 AM

today i bended the sides and glued it into the mold, i also glued the top together (under the beer!)

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BlackBearUkes

10-23-2013, 09:24 AM

indeed i tought about the serial number 1 :)
here are some photos of the begining:

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I notice in the photos you did not tuck the transverse top braces into the kerfed linings, any particular reason?

vetcvm

10-23-2013, 11:20 PM

No particular reason, the guy that teached how to build was doing it like this, didn't ask why :)

vetcvm

10-24-2013, 07:14 AM

Some more pictures of my actual pineaple ukulele project,
by the way decided to make it a super soprano (concert neck scale)

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BlackBearUkes

10-24-2013, 03:59 PM

No particular reason, the guy that teached how to build was doing it like this, didn't ask why :)

I would highly suggest that in the future you consider tucking the braces into the linigs for the transverse braces. Why? In the future when the uke ages the braces may decide to let go on the ends and curl up. If the braces were tucked you can avoid this. If you don't think it can happen, it can and more than likely will. I have repaired many an older uke where the braces have come un-glued, the top starts to give way and then come the cracks. Its a simple thing to do and cheap insurance down the road.

vetcvm

10-25-2013, 10:19 AM

thanks for the tip, will deffinitely do it next time!

vetcvm

10-27-2013, 09:00 AM

started shaping the neck, finished the bridge and prepared the body
also received the tuners today, they sent me two pairs of lefties (ebay) so i had to figure out how to make it work...
the fretboard i was too lazy to finish yet...

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vetcvm

10-30-2013, 11:05 AM

been busy these couple days working on the neck, the body and a lot on the bolt on connection, i will have to find a better way next time!

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gerardg

10-31-2013, 06:56 AM

Still an eye here.
Love this simple work.
Well done.
Gerard.

vetcvm

10-31-2013, 08:19 AM

Thanks Gerard!

After what's been done today, i feel like the hardest is behind me
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vetcvm

11-04-2013, 01:38 AM

a few more pics, almost finished
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Barbablanca

11-04-2013, 11:21 AM

Felišitats, as we'd say to congratulate you down my way! I love the deeper looking body, gives the instrument more depth. Sopranos can sound a little tinny for my taste, but this sounds great!

vetcvm

11-05-2013, 08:41 AM

this is after quiet a lot of sanding and the first diluted laquer layer, tomorrow a little more wet sanding and a few more layers and it's done!
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